Outdoor Program
The Westminster Outdoor Program exemplifies Westminster's unique environment for learning, which is located minutes from world-class skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the local Wasatch Mountains. Beyond the Wasatch lie Utah's red rock deserts, wild rivers, and vast wilderness areas—all of which become both Westminster's playground and classroom.
Through meaningful outdoor experiences, the Outdoor Program helps students to develop leadership, technical skills, self-awareness, character, and stewardship. Student leadership is a priority for the program and most outdoor trips are student-led. Graduates who were a part of the Outdoor Program often leave Westminster having weeks of valuable field experience, advanced certifications, and an understanding of how lessons learned in the outdoors can apply to other areas of college, career, and everyday life.
Whether you're joining us for an evening hike or a weekend in the backcountry, you'll most likely learn something new, meet interesting people, and spend time in awe-inspiring places.
Upcoming Trips and Events
Westminster students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests are welcome to participate in outdoor program trips and events. We're committed to supporting anyone who is interested in getting involved regardless of skill level, previous experience, or equipment needs. Contact outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or if you would like to participate but cannot pay the entire event fee. While modest, the Outdoor Program Participation Fund is designed to help in these cases.
OP Avalanche Rescue Day Trip
February 07
All day
Come learn or refresh your avalanche rescue skills with us! The ability to rescue someone who has been buried in an avalanche is an essential skill for anyone who wants to travel (backcountry ski, splitboard, mountaineer/ice/alpine climb, more adventurous snowshoeing) in the mountains in the winter. This day trip is open to folks without prior avalanche rescue experience who want to start the process of learning, or folks who do have prior experience and want to keep their skills fresh. Note: This day trip does not take the place of an official avalanche rescue or level 1 class.
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
Mindful, Self-Compassion Desert Retreat
February 14–February 16
All day
OP Self-Compassion Desert Mindfulness Retreat *This is a current Westminster students only trip*
Join us for this collaborative retreat with the Outdoor Program and Counseling Center. We'll be travelling to the Capitol Reef Field Station in Capitol Reef National Park, where we'll spend the weekend practicing mindfulness, enjoying tasty food, appreciating nature, and connecting with each other. The Field Station is a collection of eco-friendly buildings that is accessible by vehicle, and includes indoor (heated) kitchen, hang out area, bathrooms, and bunk rooms. The Field Station is in the heart of a remote part of Capitol Reef National Park, which we'll explore on some easy hikes.
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, sleeping and cooking indoors with beds and a modern kitchen, and going on (optional) short hikes on uneven terrain. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Castle Rocks XC-Ski Trip
February 21–February 23
All day
OP Castle Rocks XC-Ski Trip
Come stay in a cozy cabin in snowy Castle Rocks State Park in Idaho. We'll be cross country skiing around the park during the day, then cooking food and hanging out in a rustic cabin with a wood-burning stove in the evenings. This is a great way to get outside and have some fun in the winter!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
OP St George Climbing Trip
February 28–March 02
All day
Escape the snow and enjoy some (hopefully) sunny rock climbing near St George! This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, rock climbing, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
OP Backcountry Ski Day Trip
March 07
All day
Explore the incredible backcountry ski and snowboard terrain right in our backyard! This is also a great opportunity to learn more about how to ski or snowboard in the backcountry, including managing avalanche hazard. Participants should be comfortable skiing/riding intermediate terrain at a ski resort in ungroomed snow conditions. No prior backcountry skiing/snowboarding experience is required. Ski boots, skis, skins, splitboards, and avalanche equipment are available to borrow from the Outdoor Program (free with the cost of the trip).
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
OP Desert Camping, Cooking, and Hiking
March 07–March 09
All day
Enjoy a relaxing weekend in the beautiful red rock desert! We'll stay at a vehicle-accessed campground, focus on cooking tasty food, go on some short hikes, and generally enjoy hanging out with friends in the outdoors. This is a perfect way to recharge now that we're halfway through the semester!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
OP Desert Backpacking Trip
April 04–April 06
All day
Explore the red rocks and canyons of southern Utah! This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, backpacking, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, hiking and scrambling on uneven trails of dirt and rock or off trail, carrying backpacks weighing up to 40 pounds. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Canyoneering Trip
April 11–April 13
All day
Explore and play in the red rocks and technical canyons of southern Utah! This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, technical canyoneering, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, hiking and scrambling through canyons with some tight narrows and rappels. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Full Moon Snowshoe
April 12
All day
Experience the magic of snowy mountains in the moonlight! There's really nothing quite like the silvery light and muffled quiet. We'll leave campus in the late afternoon to drive into one of the Cottonwood Canyons, where we'll get to snowshoe during sunset and moonrise. A great way to spend a Saturday night!
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead and snowshoeing in uncompacted snow conditions. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Rock Climbing Day Trip
April 18
All day
Come rock climbing with us in one of the Cottonwood Canyons! No previous climbing experience required. Harness, helmet, and climbing shoe rental is included in the cost of the trip!
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead and hiking and scrambling on uneven trails of dirt and rock or off trail. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Cookout and Stargazing Evening Trip
April 25
All day
Join us for an evening up in the Cottonwood Canyons cooking out on camp stoves, stargazing and hanging with friends and decompressing before the end of the semester!
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, cooking on camp stoves and walking on uneven terrain. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Mountain Biking Day Trip
April 26
All day
Come join us for a beginner-friendly mountain bike ride just a short drive from campus! Renting one of our brand new bikes is included in the cost of the trip!
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead and riding bikes on uneven rock and dirt trails. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
OP Art/Photography Nature Frolic Day Trip
May 03
All day
Join us for a day up in the Cottonwood Canyons focusing on nature exploration and creative expression through art/photography/your creative medium of choice, hanging with friends and decompressing before the end of the semester!
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead and walking short distances on uneven terrain. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
- If there is a fee, you must pay for the trip or event before you are considered to be registered. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu if you're having trouble with payment.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the registration deadline (if applicable), you can receive a refund for the trip.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), but after the registration deadline (if applicable), you can apply the registration fees as a credit toward a future trip with the Outdoor Program within the same academic school year.
- If you cancel after the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), no refunds or credits will be given.
- You MUST attend scheduled pre-trip meetings for trips if applicable. Meeting dates and times vary and will be included in event information. If you do not attend the meeting and have not made other arrangements with us to get trip information, your spot on the trip may be forfeited. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or concerns about attending pre-trip meetings.
- No refunds for Wilderness First Responder/First Aid/re-certifications, avalanche certification courses, and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course will be given unless the Outdoor Program cancels the event.
Contact
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Outdoor Program
Outdoor Program
Kellie Gerbers, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Kellie Gerbers, Ph.D
- FULL-TIME Faculty
- Associate Professor
- Group development and facilitation, outdoor leadership, outdoor program management, land management policy, experiential education
She/Her/Hers
Ph.D. Florida State University
M.S. Florida State University
B.A. University of Georgia